Eumir Deodato

Keyboardist Deodato worked as a session musician before recording under his own name, and in the mid-'60s enjoyed a productive alliance with João Gilberto and Astrud Gilberto. In 1972 he released a funk adaptation of Richard Strauss’ classical piece "Also Sprach Zarathustra." The Grammy-winning single was an international smash, hitting number two in the U.S. and number seven in the U.K. In the late '70s, he embarked on a highly successful production career which continues today, and among his production accomplishments are career-reviving recordings for Kool & the Gang from 1979-1983. ~ Paula Carino